Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 17th February, 2025)

Have the plans been put on display to the public ?
You must be able to view them...even Councils are bound to do that.

Is that Super Woman swooping by?

If you zoom in on that hoarding you can see an image of what the entrance might look like.
It looks a bit bland compared to the old entrance to Marketgate.

This appears to be a job for the caped crusader.

Wigan is just a building site, market site, Eckersley mill, road works etc.
I agree with the new redevelopment of t Eckersley mill project, that was empty anyway, but the market in my opinion is a waste of time and a considerable amount of money, nothing wrong with the old. Sorry to be negative Colin, but that's my opinion.

Nothing will be the same again, I don't like change, especially our Wigan.
After saying that, there's not much left of our old Wigan that from a certain age we all loved.

Helen, plans have been published and are on display in the ‘current’ Market Hall. I have copies if you would like me to email them to you.
What I found interesting is that it looks like they are going to provide access into the New Market Hall from half way down Makinson’s Arcade.
The Woodcock Street entrance will be next to a Pavilion and the Hampton By Hilton Hotel opposite The Queens Hall.
That said, things do tend to change!

Wigan as we know it has been destroyed, its frightening to know what will happen next with the demolition team. Those glory days that are embedded in history, Woolworths. Lowes, ABC picture house, Warnings and Gilows, Wigan Baths too many to name but great memories we never forget.

Look at those great buildings to the left, please leave them alone Wigan Council.

No, I think that’s Lisa Nandy on her way to Parliament. Certainly has a look of her.

I'm trying not to knock Wigin for the rest of 2025, and after seeing the image of what the new facade may look like, I wouldn't wish to comment at this stage.

If it is Lisa Nandy dashing from a Council Meeting she doesn’t half look worried and so she should be with the Reform candidate snapping at her heals.

Times are changing fast. I'm so glad I was born in the late 40s.
Not just buildings but people and respect.

Having visited some of the old industrial towns in the north I’m beginning to think that Wigan Council have got the right idea by concentrating of homes in the town centre rather than shops.
The days of the town centre high street are gone and will not return. The younger generations do not want to tramp around from shop to shop when they can get what they need by pressing a few buttons on a computer and have it delivered to their front door the next day.
There will still be a need for convenience stores for the people living in the town, but the emphasis will be on restaurants and places of entertainment that can be reached on foot with no need for expensive cars.
For people of my age (78) it is sad to see the end of the great days of the 50s and 60s, but the writing is on the wall. Look around you and you will see that the change is already happening.
The times they are a-changing.

DTease, 12 months ago I might have voiced a very different opinion but now I fully agree with everything you said.
Retail is more or less dead for a small town like Wigan, homes within walking distance of bus station and railway station if you work out of town and entertainment, restaurants and a smaller selection of shops on your doorstep.
Hate to agree with the Council and I wish the world was different but I think they may have got the right balance.

Colin Traynor may i ask what year will the new martket hall be ready and will there be any shops in there!

PS. I still think it would be a regrettable mistake to demolish the existing Market Hall.
I think it has a degree of character and looks suitable for conversion into a number of cultural possibilities to attract people into the town centre.

It will all change again in another 30 to 50 years. Bob Dylan was right
‘the times they are a changing’ …we won’t be here to see it but others will take our place and moan as much as we did…..we had the best of times.

Sun, Sea and Selling Wigan down the Tube.

If the were a survey to ask Wigan folk about the old Market, 99% would back the old and not the new.
The old Market had the atmosphere that you can't get today. It brings people together.

Veronica you have a way with words that comes naturally with you.

I can't adjust to change especially Wigan Shops. The new shopping builds have no welcome feel and atmosphere anymore. I agree with most comments on here today. I much prefer Leigh Market that still has traditional shops.

Hey Veronica speak for yourself, I’m only 77 and still have another 50 years left in me and I’m going to win on the Lottery!
Ex Wiganer, I think it’s due to open mid 26, hopefully they will attract some new blood into the Market from Chorley, Warrington and Bury. They have excellent markets.

I’ll bet they won’t moan as much as I do though Veebs .
I’ve got framed certificates for moaning y’know .

Well said Nigel them lot need to go the country is going to get even worse than the last lot who was in its a joke this country is now on its last legs i cant believe them last lot and these lot who are running this country what they are doing to it its like a 3rd world country now something needs 2 happen 2 stop all of this.

The people moaning about the market hall closing openly admit that they haven't been in the place for the last 20 years.
The new market will be wonderful, but you won't be seeing stalls selling socks and knickers, It will be mostly food, this is what the young ones want.
And it couldn't be being built in a better location, just 50 yards away from the new Wigan Piazza, which was once known as the old market square

Big Harold the food is not what young one's want in the markets, the Young one's want junkfood like pizza, Kabbs, KFC and Mc Donalds.
Very rarely see Young people at markets.

Given that its coming up on 38 years since the old market hall was demolished I would estimate half the population of Wigan never even saw it much less wants it back.

You have to be a certain age to really appreciate the original Market.
Younger people can't relate to it, thats the difference.

Have to say … I can’t pinpoint anything right now that anyone has come up with lately to replicate the basic common sense contained within the comments by both DTease and MikeW .

I’m guessing the common denominator here may be the fact that we’re all boomers .

Alan last week I had a ride to Leigh and was surprised there were empty stall in the market